AGP Executive Report

Food Safety Alert: A multi-country Salmonella outbreak linked to flavoured instant noodles has reached 106 confirmed cases across 14 countries, with Latvia reporting lab-confirmed infections in schoolchildren after eating “Reeva” noodles raw; authorities say the “Stanley” strain points to a Ukrainian producer, and Reeva has withdrawn implicated batches. Pediatric Care Reform: Children’s Clinical University Hospital (BKUS) plans to raise the admission age to 25 for selected cases, prioritising oncology and chronic conditions where treatment doesn’t end at 18. Immunisation Push: Latvia’s National Immunisation Council is urging urgent funding of €600,000 to introduce universal passive RSV protection for newborns during the RSV season starting as early as November. Healthcare Oversight: The Health Inspectorate has finished reviewing doctors’ actions at Stradiņš Hospital after a woman was shot in Rītabuļļi Forest; the hospital’s handling of a foreign object was deemed consistent with practice, though the patient may seek re-evaluation.

RSV Prevention Push: Latvia’s National Immunisation Council is urging the government to urgently fund €600,000 to introduce passive immunisation against RSV for all newborns and infants during the RSV season from November, warning delays mean more severe cases and pressure on paediatric intensive care. Food Safety Alert: A multi-country Salmonella Stanley outbreak linked to flavoured instant noodles has reached Latvia, with children falling ill after eating “Reeva” noodles dry; health authorities stress cases are not reported when noodles are prepared as directed. Hospital Care Scrutiny: The Health Inspectorate says doctors at Stradiņš Hospital followed current practice after a woman was shot near a military training area, but she is likely to request a re-evaluation. Medication Access Update: From July 1, the state will cover the pharmacist service fee for prescription medicines costing up to €10 per package, including for certain reimbursable drugs and postpartum/pregnancy cases. Heat on Hospitals: Latvia’s emergency departments report busier shifts as extreme heat drives dehydration and worsens conditions like heart failure, high blood pressure, kidney issues and diabetes. Immunisation & Quality of Life: An EU barometer finds physical and mental health are the strongest drivers of Europeans’ quality of life, even as health funding faces budget pressure. Local Health System Tech: A reported e-health system outage left a family unable to buy antibiotics for hours, with pharmacies waiting for prescriptions to work again.

RSV Prevention Push: Latvia’s National Immunisation Council is urging the government to urgently allocate €600,000 to introduce passive immunisation against RSV for all newborns and infants during the RSV season starting as early as November. Food Safety Alert: A multi-country Salmonella Stanley outbreak linked to flavoured “Reeva” instant noodles has reached Latvia, with children falling ill after eating the noodles dry; health authorities say cases are tied to the international strain and warn against preparing them without boiling water. Hospital Care Scrutiny: The Health Inspectorate has closed its review of care at Stradiņš Hospital after a woman was shot in Rītabuļļu Forest, concluding staff actions matched current practice for removing a foreign object—though the patient is likely to request a re-check. Medication Access Update: From July 1, Latvia will cover the pharmacist service fee for prescription medicines costing up to €10 per package (with specific groups like pregnant and up to 70 days postpartum included). Heat & Emergency Demand: Latvia’s hospitals report busy emergency departments as hot weather drives dehydration and worsens conditions like heart failure, high blood pressure, kidney failure and diabetes; doctors advise extra fluids and prompt medical help. E-Health Outage Impact: A weekend e-health system outage reportedly delayed antibiotic dispensing, forcing a family to seek a paper prescription at a children’s hospital. EU Health Focus: An EU barometer finds physical and mental health are the top drivers of Europeans’ quality of life, even as health funding faces pressure in the next long-term budget talks.

Medication Access: From July 1, Latvia will cover the pharmacist’s service fee (currently 75 cents) for prescription medicines up to 10 euros per package, including certain non-reimbursable and 75% reimbursed drugs, plus specific postpartum and pregnancy cases—aiming to cut out-of-pocket costs after an earlier pricing reform. Heat & Emergency Care: Latvian hospitals report a surge in heat-related complaints, with doctors warning people with heart, kidney, diabetes and other chronic conditions to hydrate more and seek help early; emergency departments say they’re seeing dehydration cases and heat stress. E-Health Disruption: A weekend outage in Latvia’s e-health system left a mother unable to buy a child’s prescribed antibiotics until later, with Cert.lv saying the system should not stop dispensing and urging fixes to prevent repeat delays. Food Safety Alert: SPKC links four child salmonellosis cases in Latvia to “Reeva” instant noodles eaten dry, with lab-confirmed “Salmonella Stanley” tied to an international outbreak; authorities stress following manufacturer prep instructions. Public Health Enforcement: Latvia’s Food and Veterinary Service moved against SIA “Topfruit” over hygiene violations in cherry packaging, including operations in premises previously ordered closed, lack of hot water, missing health checks, and improper labeling—leading to a distribution suspension. Security & Health Risks: State Police dismantled an organised illegal cigarette operation in Jelgava area, seizing 12.8 million cigarettes and manufacturing materials—an indirect health concern tied to illicit tobacco supply. Youth Radicalisation: Latvia’s State Security Service warns of rising youth radicalisation via online recruitment, including cases involving extremist content and training.

Pharmacy Cost Relief: From July 1, Latvia will cover the pharmacist’s service fee (currently 75 cents) for non-reimbursable prescription drugs and 75% reimbursed medicines priced up to 10 euros per package, including for pregnant women and up to the 70th day postpartum—part of a wider 2025 pricing reform that already cut average prices for commonly used medicines by 17%. Heat Health Alerts: Latvia’s emergency services and major hospitals report more cases linked to extreme heat, including dehydration and worsening conditions for people with heart failure, high blood pressure, kidney failure, and diabetes; doctors urge extra fluids and to call NMPD if symptoms like dizziness or pain appear. E-Health System Disruption: A weekend outage in Latvia’s e-health system left at least one family unable to collect a child’s antibiotics until the system returned, with pharmacies unable to process e-prescriptions during the downtime. Food Safety Enforcement: The Food and Veterinary Service (PVD) moved against SIA “Topfruit” over hygiene violations in cherry packaging, including lack of hot water, missing mandatory health checks for staff, and improper labeling of origin—leading to a distribution suspension and seizures. Youth Radicalisation Watch: Latvia’s State Security Service warns that youth radicalisation is rising as extremist groups recruit online via platforms like TikTok, Discord, Telegram, Steam, and Roblox, with some cases leading to criminal proceedings.

Heat Health Alert: Latvia’s emergency medical service reports multiple cases of people getting unwell from extreme heat, including overheated children and athletes, with warnings that indoor spaces without cooling can also worsen symptoms. Weather & Prevention: The Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre forecasts very intense heat in Latvia on Sunday (Riga up to +31 to +33°C), with high UV and advice to keep children supervised, drink fluids, avoid direct sun, and take care when swimming. Food Safety: Latvia’s Food and Veterinary Service launched enforcement against SIA “Topfruit” over hygiene violations at a Riga-area cherry packaging site, including lack of hot water, inadequate employee health checks, and missing origin labelling—leading to a distribution suspension and seized goods. Healthcare Cooperation: Azerbaijan and Latvia’s health ministers met to expand cooperation in medical education, continuous professional development, research, and digital transformation of healthcare systems. Public Health & Access: A global map highlights where safe drinking water is still out of reach, underscoring that more than 2 billion people lack safely managed drinking water services. Mental Health & Risk: Latvian security service says radicalisation among young people is rising, with online platforms increasingly used for recruitment. Disability Mobility: Guidance notes that people with a UK Blue Badge may have reciprocal parking access in some EU countries, supporting easier travel for those with health conditions.

Food Safety Enforcement: Latvia’s Food and Veterinary Service (PVD) has launched proceedings against SIA “Topfruit” after finding cherries were packaged in a Riga warehouse that had been ordered closed, with hygiene breaches including lack of hot water, missing mandatory health checks for staff, and unlabeled boxes that don’t show origin. Heat Health Alerts: Latvia’s emergency medical service says heat is already driving cases of overheating—especially in children and active outdoor sports groups—and warns chronic patients can worsen if they don’t cool down. Extreme Weather Risk: The Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre forecasts very intense heat in Latvia on Sunday, with UV radiation high and temperatures up to +31 to +33°C in Riga, urging people to avoid direct sun, keep hydrated, and not leave children unattended. Healthcare Cooperation: Latvia’s Health Minister Hossam Abu Meri met Azerbaijan’s Teymur Musayev, with both sides highlighting expanded healthcare cooperation, including medical education, continuous professional development, research, and digital transformation. Public Safety & Radicalisation: Latvia’s State Security Service reports rising radicalisation involving children and young people, noting recruitment through platforms like TikTok, Discord, Telegram, and some gaming services. Disability Parking Abroad: Guidance explains how people with a Blue Badge may use it when travelling in some EU countries and beyond, with local rules still potentially applying.

Extreme Heat Alert for Latvia: LVĢMC warns of a very intense heatwave on Sunday, with Riga expected around +31 to +33°C and some regions up to +34°C, plus high UV levels—health advice includes keeping children supervised, drinking plenty of fluids, wearing a hat and avoiding long direct sun exposure. Heatwave Strains Europe’s Health Systems: A continent-wide record heatwave is driving heatstroke cases, power outages and disruptions to emergency services, with authorities expanding alerts as hospitals and transport systems come under pressure. Safe Drinking Water Gap: A new global map highlights that over 2 billion people still lack safely managed drinking water, with access near-universal in much of Europe but far lower in several lower-income countries. Golden Visas Shift Toward Healthcare: Research says Latvia’s golden visa program saw a 51% rise in applications in 2025, with families increasingly viewing residency as a long-term “insurance” for healthcare, education and mobility. Public Health & Safety Watch: Latvia also faces local health-related concerns, including a report of potentially dangerous escape from a mental hospital in Rīga and a separate case flagged as potentially dangerous medical misconduct to be reviewed.

Heatwave & health alerts: Latvia’s meteorology centre has issued a yellow alert for Saturday and an orange alert for Sunday–Monday, with temperatures up to +31 to +35°C in many areas. Authorities warn extreme heat can strain cardiovascular and respiratory health, raise heatstroke risk, and increase accidents near water; residents are urged to drink more fluids, limit sun exposure, avoid heavy activity, ventilate at night, and keep indoor heat down. Public health safety: The State Agency of Medicines (ZVA) says a young woman was hospitalised after using an online weight-loss product that contained retatrutide, which is not registered in Latvia or the EU; ZVA urges buying medicines only from licensed pharmacies/online pharmacies and warns of serious side effects. Health access data: A new global map highlights that over 2 billion people still lack safely managed drinking water, with major gaps even across countries where access is otherwise near-universal. Healthcare-linked migration: A report notes Latvia’s golden visa programme is among the most accessible in the EU, with a 51% rise in applications in 2025, framed as a way families secure future healthcare and education options.

Extreme Heat Alerts in Latvia: The Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre issued a yellow alert for Saturday and an orange alert for Sunday and Monday, with temperatures reaching +30 to +31°C in Riga and Zemgale and up to +33 to +35°C in parts of the south and centre; officials warn the heat adds strain to cardiovascular and respiratory health, urges more fluids, night ventilation, sun avoidance, lighter clothing, and extra caution for older people, infants, and those with chronic conditions. Illegal Weight-Loss Drugs Risk: Latvia’s State Agency of Medicines reports a young woman was treated at Children’s Clinical University Hospital after using an online weight-loss product containing retatrutide, not registered in Latvia or the EU; ZVA warns against buying medicines outside licensed pharmacies due to risks including allergic reactions, infections, hormonal disorders, heart rhythm changes, and possible liver and pancreatic damage. Mental Health Safety Alert: State Police ask the public to help locate Pāvels Gordejevs, who left the National Mental Health Centre in Rīga without authorization and may be aggressive and dangerous; tips should be reported via 112. Long-Term Care Deal in Estonia: Estonia’s Südamekodud will sell its operating business to Penta Hospitals, with the aim of expanding into Latvian and Lithuanian long-term care markets (real estate stays with current owners).

Extreme Heat Alert: Latvia’s Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre has issued a yellow alert for Saturday and an orange warning for Sunday and Monday, with temperatures reaching +30 to +31°C in Riga and Zemgale on Saturday and up to +33 to +35°C in parts of the south and centre over the weekend; authorities warn the heat adds strain to cardiovascular and respiratory health and advise extra fluids, night ventilation, closed curtains, avoiding direct sun and heavy activity, and caution around lakes and rivers. Unsafe Weight-Loss Drugs Online: Latvia’s State Agency of Medicines (ZVA) says a young woman was treated at Children’s Clinical University Hospital after using an online weight-loss product containing retatrutide, which is not registered in Latvia or the EU and may cause serious harms including allergic reactions, infections, hormonal disorders, heart rhythm changes, and liver or pancreatic damage; ZVA urges buying only from licensed pharmacies. Mental Health Safety: State Police are asking the public to help locate Pāvels Gordejevs, who left the National Mental Health Centre in Rīga without authorisation and may be aggressive; tips should be reported via 112. Long-Term Care Deal: Estonia’s Südamekodud is selling its operating business to Penta Hospitals, with Penta planning to use the acquisition to expand into Latvia and Lithuania.

Extreme Heat Warnings: Latvia’s meteorology centre has issued a yellow alert for Saturday and an orange alert for Sunday and Monday, with temperatures reaching +30 to +31°C in Riga and Zemgale and up to +33 to +35°C in parts of the south and centre; authorities warn the heat adds strain to cardiovascular and respiratory health and advise hydration, avoiding direct sun, limiting activity, ventilating at night, and taking care near water. Illegal Weight-Loss Drugs: Latvia’s Medicines State Agency says a child was treated at the Children’s Clinical University Hospital after using an online weight-loss product containing retatrutide, which is not registered in Latvia or the EU; ZVA urges buying only from licensed pharmacies and warns of risks including allergic reactions, heart rhythm changes, and liver or pancreatic damage. Mental Health Safety: State Police are asking the public to help locate a man who left the National Mental Health Centre in Riga without authorisation; he may be aggressive and dangerous, and residents are told to call 112 with any sightings. Heatwave Health Impact Across Europe: A widening European heatwave is straining emergency services, with reports of surging ambulance calls and disrupted transport, underlining the broader health pressure from record temperatures.

Extreme Heat Alert: Latvia’s meteorology centre issued an orange warning for very intense heat, with temperatures expected to reach 31–35°C and added strain on cardiovascular and respiratory health; people are urged to drink more fluids, avoid direct sun and heavy activity, ventilate at night, and take extra care for older adults, infants and those with chronic conditions. Illegal Weight-Loss Drugs: Latvia’s medicines agency (ZVA) says a young woman was hospitalized after using an online weight-loss product containing retatrutide, a substance not registered in Latvia or the EU, warning of risks from allergic reactions to liver and pancreatic damage and urging purchases only from licensed pharmacies. Mental Health Safety: State Police are asking the public to help locate a man missing from the National Mental Health Centre in Rīga, noting he may be aggressive and dangerous. Public Health & Safety Over Holidays: Reports from the Midsummer weekend highlight heavy emergency workload, including many drunk-driving arrests and injuries from burns and accidents. Long-Term Care Deal (Regional): Estonia’s Südamekodud is selling its operating business to Penta Hospitals, with plans to use the move to expand into Latvia and Lithuania. Energy Storage for Health Resilience: Rolls-Royce Power Systems and Sunly plan four large battery storage systems in Latvia, supporting renewable integration.

Antibiotic Resistance Push: A €15 million EU-funded project (REPhRAME) will test phage therapy plus gut microbiome restoration to prevent recurrent urinary tract infections, aiming to cut reliance on antibiotics. Heat & Public Health: With Europe facing more extreme heat, air conditioning is being credited with sharply reducing heat-related deaths, but uptake remains low—raising pressure for safer cooling access. Local Safety in Nature: Latvian State Forests warns people not to swim in active mineral quarries; unpredictable depths and unstable banks make quarry water dangerous. Summer Camps Compliance: Latvia’s TV reports parents should check that summer camps are properly registered and meet health and safety approvals before sending children. Packaging Rules Clarity: Latvia and other EU states ask the Commission for clearer PPWR implementation details, arguing businesses can’t invest without predictable obligations—an issue that also touches public health via packaging impacts. Midsummer Emergency Response: Latvia’s holiday weekend saw road deaths, many drunk-driver arrests, and extra EMS calls for burns and accidents.

Hospital Quality Reform: Latvia’s Ministry of Health is pushing a hospital network reform after cases where lower-level facilities made serious mistakes that specialists in Riga had to fix, including a baby’s inhaled Ventolin solution that arrived with visible sediment. Public Health & Safety: Ahead of summer, Latvian State Forests warns people not to swim in active mineral quarries—underwater depth and banks are unpredictable, with risks up to 10 meters. Summer Camp Checks: Parents are urged to verify that children’s camps in Latvia have all required approvals, including health and safety and fire requirements. Local Food Supply: Retailers and producers clash over how much local products appear in Latvian stores—milk coverage is especially low (about one-third), with calls for producer cooperation. Infectious Disease Innovation: A €15 million EU-funded project will test phage therapy plus gut microbiome restoration to prevent recurrent urinary tract infections as antibiotic resistance rises. Heat & Prevention: A wider European report links extreme heat to drowning and heat deaths, noting air conditioning can sharply cut heat-related mortality.

Hospital Quality Reform: Latvia’s Ministry of Health is pushing a hospital network reform after cases where basic care went wrong—like a baby needing Ventolin inhaled medication where the syringe solution had visible sediment, later replaced after a nurse checked it. Public Safety Over Midsummer: Emergency services faced a grim holiday: multiple road deaths, 81 drunk-driver arrests, 106 traffic accidents in 24 hours (June 23–24), and hundreds of EMS calls including burn injuries from bonfires. Local Food Supply Pressure: Retailers report mixed shares of Latvian products—about one-third for milk but higher for cheese and cottage cheese—while producers argue they can’t scale without better cooperation and pricing. Vape Flavour Debate: Ireland is moving toward banning most vape flavours, allowing only tobacco and unflavoured, with Latvia named among countries facing similar concerns about youth appeal. Nutrition Gap in the EU: Fresh fruit and vegetable intake across the EU falls short of the 400g/day goal; Latvia is among the lowest, missing the target by nearly half. Infectious Disease Watch: Ebola and other outbreaks are highlighted through how pathogens spread and why human behavior and barriers matter for control.